Exercise weight lifting bar

ABSTRACT

Exercise apparatus is provided including a support portion and one or more gripping means movably mounted directly or indirectly on said support portion. Resistance means are provided on and/or associated with the gripping means and/or the support portion to provide a resistance against which or relative to which a user can move the one or more gripping means in use.

This invention relates to exercise apparatus and to a method of use thereof.

Although the following description refers almost exclusively to exercise apparatus in the form of a weight lifting bar for use with free weights or fixed weight lifting apparatus, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention can take any form and can be used with any other exercise apparatus, such as for example, the handlebars of cycling apparatus or cross training apparatus, or used for any suitable purpose, such as for example gym use, domestic use, physiotherapy use, rehabilitation use and/or the like.

Weight lifting is generally an isotonic exercise in which a user contracts one or more muscles against a resistance that is moved through a range of movements. The resistance is typically in the form of a weighted object that the user moves via flexion or extension of one or more of the user's muscles.

Conventional free weight lifting apparatus can include a dumbbell bar, barbell bar, curl bar and/or the like. The bar in each case is typically a linear bar, although some bars can include angled portions thereon. Outwardly protruding collars are typically provided a spaced distance from each end of the bar to allow different weights to be fixed or detachably located against the same. A rotatable or sprung locking collar can be provided for maintaining detachable weights on the ends of the bar in abutting relationship with the protruding collar.

Gripping portions are typically provided on the weight lifting bar to allow a user to correctly position their hand or hands on the bar. These gripping portions are normally fixed regions of the bar and allow a user to adopt a single pre-determined hand position on the bar for allowing a user to undertake a particular weight lifting exercise with the bar, Although this type of exercise apparatus allows a user to exercise one or more of their muscle groups effectively, it has limited use in that a user typically has to use a number of different items of exercise equipments in order to exercise different muscle groups effectively.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,731 discloses a barbell having axially movable grips. The grips include a number of bearings that allow the grips to slide axially along the bar without resistance. Adjustable stop means can be provided to limit the movement of the grips. This allows a user to perform different types of exercises with the same weight apparatus by simply moving the position of the grip on the bar. However, the free moving nature of the hand grip is likely to result in poor control of the hand grip and/or barbell by the user and could result in an injury to the user.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide improved exercise apparatus.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide an improved method of using exercise apparatus.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide exercise apparatus in the form of a weight lifting bar and a method of use thereof.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided exercise apparatus, said exercise apparatus including a support portion and one or more gripping means movably mounted directly or indirectly on said support portion, and wherein resistance means are provided on and/or associated with the gripping means and/or the support portion to provide a resistance against which or relative to which a user can move the one or more gripping means in use.

Thus, the present invention provides exercise apparatus that allows a user to move one or more gripping means of the apparatus against a resistance, thereby providing the user with an additional exercise component that would not be available to the user if the gripping means was fixed or freely movable without resistance. In addition, movement of the gripping means against a resistance increases the number of different muscle exercises a user can undertake with a single item of exercise apparatus, thereby increasing the versatility of the apparatus.

Preferably the gripping means are arranged to be moveable in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support portion or axially thereof.

In one embodiment the support portion is in the form of an arm portion, bar portion, such as for example a linear bar, and the gripping means are movable along the arm portion or bar in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm portion or bar or coaxially thereof.

In one embodiment the support portion has at least one substantially linear element and one or more angled or protruding elements. The gripping means is preferably movable along at least one of said one or more substantially linear elements. However, the gripping means could be movable along the angled element if required. For example, a protruding element could be provided at an acute angle to the linear element so as to provide an alternative gripping portion for a user in use.

In one embodiment the resistance means includes a movable component that moves relative to the support portion as a result of user actuation of the same via a user applying a force to the gripping means in a particular direction. The user has to apply sufficient force to the resistance means to overcome the resistance provided by the resistance means in order to move the same relative to the support portion. In one example, the user typically applies a pulling force or a pushing force to the resistance means in order to move the same.

In one embodiment the resistance means includes or is in the form of resilient biasing means. In use, a user has to overcome the resilient bias of the resilient biasing means in order to move the gripping means relative to the support portion.

In a preferred embodiment the resilient biasing means can be in the form of any or any combination of a spring, coiled spring, sprung material and/or the like.

However, it will be appreciated that the resistance means could include a pneumatic mechanism, hydraulic mechanism and/or the like. In use, a user has to overcome the resistance created by the pneumatic mechanism, hydraulic mechanism and/or the like in order to move the gripping means relative to the support portion.

Different strength resistance means or resilient biasing means could be used that require different amounts of force to be applied by a user to overcome the resistance of the same. Thus, depending on the strength of the user and/or the exercise being undertaken by the user, an appropriate strength resistance means or resilient biasing means could be selected.

In one embodiment the resistance provided by the resistance means and/or resilient biasing means is substantially fixed.

In one embodiment adjustment means are provided on or associated with the resistance means and/or resilient biasing means to allow a user to adjust the size of the force required to overcome the resistance of the resistance means and/or resilient biasing means in use.

In one embodiment the gripping means are in the form of one or more sleeve members that are movably mounted on the support portion. The gripping means and/or one or more sleeve members can be substantially linear or elongate in form, such as for example a substantially cylindrical and elongate sleeve member. Alternatively, the gripping means and/or one or more sleeve members can be any suitable size and/or shape to allow a user to grip the same and could include at least one substantially linear portion and one or more angled portions in one example. The at least one linear portion and/or the one or more angled portions allow a user to select one of a number of different possible hand or gripping positions on the gripping means in use.

The gripping means can be rotatably, slidably and/or pivotably mounted or movable on or with respect to the support portion. In a preferred embodiment the gripping means are slidably movable on the support portion.

Movement means can be provided on or associated with the gripping means, resistance means and/or support portion to allow the gripping means to move along or relative to the support portion in use. For example, one or more ball bearings, roller means, lubrication means, fluid means and/or the like can be provided to move or increase the ease of movement of the gripping means relative to the support portion in use.

In one embodiment the resistance means and/or resilient biasing means can be integral with the gripping means and/or bar portion, can be attached to the gripping means and/or bar portion, and/or can be detachably attached to the gripping means and/or bar portion.

In one embodiment the resistance means and/or resilient biasing means can be attached or detachably attached to the gripping means, the gripping means can be located on top of the resistance means and/or resilient biasing means and/or at least part of the resistance means and/or resilient biasing means can be located in abutting relationship with the gripping means.

Any number of resistance means and/or resilient biasing means can be provided with the exercise apparatus as required. In one example, resistance means and/or resilient biasing means are provided at either end of the gripping means, such that a user has to work against a resistance in more than one direction or both reciprocating directions in order to move the gripping means relative to the support portion. Alternatively, the user has to apply a force in the direction of a particular resistance means and/or resilient biasing means only in order to move the resistance means and/or resilient biasing means to provide an exercising force for the user. In another example, resistance means and/or resilient biasing means are provided at one end of a gripping means only, such that a user has to work against a resistance in one direction only and a biasing force associated with the resistance means and/or the resilient biasing means returns the gripping means to a starting position once the user releases their grip on the gripping means or reduces the force they are applying to the gripping means.

In one embodiment the resistance means and/or resilient biasing means and/or gripping means are movable between a first start position, wherein at least part of the resistance means and/or resilient biasing means is relatively extended or in tension, to a second working position, wherein at least part of the resistance means and/or the resilient biasing means is relatively compressed. In one example, once a user releases their grip on the gripping means or reduces the force being applied to the gripping means/resistance means/resilient biasing means, the resistance means and/or resilient biasing means can return automatically from the second working position to the first start position. In one example, if two or more resistance means and/or resilient biasing means are associated with the gripping means, one resistance means or biasing means acting in a substantially opposite direction to another resistance means or biasing means, the user may be required to move the resistance means and/or resilient biasing means and/or gripping means from the second working position to the first start position.

If two or more resistance means and/or resilient biasing means are provided on or associated with the exercising apparatus, the strength of the resistance means and/or biasing means or force required to overcome the resilience of the biasing means can be the same or different as required.

The exercise apparatus of the present invention can be retrofitted to existing exercise apparatus or one or more components of the present invention exercise apparatus can be retrofitted to existing exercise apparatus to provide the existing exercise apparatus with all the elements of the present invention.

In one embodiment the apparatus includes attachment means for allowing the apparatus to be attached to a further component, to further exercise apparatus and/or the like. For example, one or more hooks, apertures, clips, inter-engaging members and/or the like can be used. In one example this allows the exercise apparatus to be attached or detachably attached to a fixed weight machine or to a cable associated with a fixed weight machine.

In one embodiment the exercise apparatus is in the form of a handle or gripping bar. In a preferred embodiment the exercise apparatus is in the form of a bar for use with free weights or fixed weight apparatus. For example, the bar could be in the form of a barbell, curl bar, dumbbell and/or the like.

The exercise apparatus can be provided with or without one or more further resistance means, such as one or more weights and/or the like. These further resistance means can be integral with, attached, fixed or detachably attached to the apparatus.

In one embodiment stop or retaining means can be provided to limit movement of the resistance means and/or resilient biasing means on the support portion of the apparatus, for maintaining the resistance means and/or resilient biasing means on the apparatus and/or for limiting movement of a user's hand or hands onto the resistance means in use. For example, the stop means can be in the form of one or more collars, outward protrusions, flanges and/or the like, against which the resistance means and/or resilient biasing means can abut in order to limit travel or movement of the resistance means and/or resilient biasing means on the apparatus.

Preferably cover means are provided on or associated with the resistance means in use.

In one embodiment two or more resistance means are provided on or associated with the exercise apparatus and each resistance means can be actuated or operated against by a user independently of and separate to one or more other resistance means.

In one embodiment at least one of the resistance means is in the form of the resilient biasing means, hydraulic means and/or pneumatic means. Preferably at least one other resistance means on the apparatus is non-resilient biasing means, non-hydraulic means and/or non-pneumatic means or is a static or movable weighted object.

In one embodiment each gripping means is moved in a pre-determined manner (i.e. not arbitrary as would be with a fixed weight mechanism) and can be moved against a resistance by the user in a first direction only or can be moved in a first and second direction. For example, the second direction can be substantially opposite to the first direction, such as for example to allow reciprocating movement.

The direction of movement through which a user can move the gripping means is preferably different to, substantially perpendicular or transverse to the direction in which the user typically moves the exercise apparatus when moving the apparatus as a whole relative to the user's body. Thus, for example, the user moves the apparatus in a first and/or second direction when moving the apparatus against at least a first resistance and the user moves the apparatus in at least a third or further direction when moving the apparatus against at least a second resistance.

The exercise apparatus of the present invention can be used to undertake isotonic and/or isometric exercises.

In one embodiment the gripping means includes any element allowing a user to safely grip the same in use without slipping. For example, the gripping means could include on an outer surface thereof, non-slip means, one or more grooves, protrusions, recesses, teeth, knurled surface and/or the like to substantially prevent a user from slipping on the gripping means when gripping the same in use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using exercise apparatus, said exercise apparatus including a support portion and one or more gripping means movably mounted directly or indirectly on said support portion, and wherein said method includes a user gripping said gripping means are moving said gripping means relative to said support portion against resistance means provided on and/or associated with the gripping means and/or the support portion.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of exercise apparatus in the form of a barbell in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are enlarged views of an end and central portion of the barbell in FIG. 1 respectively;

FIGS. 3 a-3 c is a perspective view of exercise apparatus in the form of an angled barbell, an angled barbell with hook attached, and an enlarged end view of the angled barbell; and

FIGS. 4 a-4 d illustrate examples of different bar arrangements in accordance with the present invention.

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1-2 b, there is illustrated exercise apparatus in the form of a barbell 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Barbell 2 includes a support portion in the form of a linear bar portion 4, with gripping means in the form of two gripping sleeves 6, 8 provided thereon, and detachably attached weights 10, 10′ provided adjacent either end 12, 14 thereof. The linear bar and gripping means in this example are substantially cylindrical in form, although they could be any cross sectional shape as required.

Barbell 2 is typically used by a user to undertake free weight exercises, whereby a user places a hand on each of the gripping sleeves 6, 8 and moves the barbell through a range of movements relative to the user's body to exercise one or more user specific muscle groups. For example, the barbell can be used to undertake squat exercises and/or the like. These types of exercises are typically isotonic in form, in that the user moves the barbell 2 through a range of movements in order to work the required muscle group(s). However, barbell 2 can be used to undertake isometric exercises, wherein the barbell is moved to a required position and held in a static position for a required period of time in order to work the required muscle group(s).

On a conventional barbell, the gripping means are typically knurled regions of the bar which are fixed in place and which allow a user to grip the same. The grip regions of a conventional barbell are therefore there simply to provide a user with a comfortable or correct hand position, rather than providing any specific muscle exercising benefit to the user. The resistance provided by the barbell against which the user performs one or more exercises is therefore solely or predominantly provided by the static weights 10, 10′ provided adjacent the ends of the barbell.

In accordance with the present invention, the gripping means in the present invention are mounted on bar portion 4 in such a manner so as to be movable against a resistance separate to and independent from end weights 10, 10′. This allows the user to perform a greater range of exercises and exercise a wider range of muscle groups than is possible with a conventional barbell.

The resistance means that is separate to and independent of end weights 10 in this example are resilient biasing means in the form of three coiled springs 16, 18, 20. Spring 16 is provided between inwardly facing surface 22 of weight 10 and end 24 of gripping sleeve 6. Spring 18 is provided between end 26 of gripping sleeve 6 and end 28 of gripping sleeve 8. Spring 20 is provided between end 30 of gripping sleeve 8 and inwardly facing surface 32 of weight 10′.

The springs 16, 18, 20 bias the gripping sleeves 6, 8 to a first starting position, as shown in FIG. 1, wherein the springs are in relative tension or extension. The gripping sleeves 6, 8 are movably mounted on the bar portion 4 using any suitable means. However, in order to move a gripping sleeve, a user must apply sufficient force to a gripping sleeve in a direction of a spring to overcome the resilient biasing force provided by the spring. The application of force by a user allows the gripping sleeve and/or spring to be moved relative to the bar portion and the static weights 10, 10′ to at least a second working position and causes one or more user muscles to contract to allow an exercise to be performed. In a second working position, the spring being moved is typically relatively compressed.

The resistance provided by the spring can be selected to provide a particular user with a good workout in order to move the same between the first and at least second positions. Different strength springs can be used to provide the different levels of resistance and/or adjustment means can be provided on or associated with a spring to adjust the resistance required to overcome the biasing force of the spring.

Thus, in use, a user places a hand on each of the gripping sleeves 6, 8, typically such that each of the user's hand is an equidistance space apart from weights 10, 10′. A user first moves the barbell 2 to a desired position with respect to the user's body, thereby causing the user to work one or more muscle groups against the resistance provided by weights 10, 10′. Once in the desired position, a user can then apply a further force to one or more of the gripping sleeves 6, 8 in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of bar 4, as shown by arrow 34. The gripping sleeves can be slidably moved towards each other and/or away from each other, depending on the muscle group which the user wishes to exercise. Movement of the gripping sleeves relative to bar 4 is independent of and separate to movement of the bar 4 and weights 10, 10′ relative to the user. It is to be noted that each of the gripping sleeves can be moved independently of each other.

A locking member or collar 34 can be provided at ends 12, 14 of barbell 2 to maintain the position of weights 10, 10′ on bar portion 4.

Referring to FIGS. 3 a-3 c, there is illustrated a further embodiment of the present invention in which bar 4 is for use on a fixed weights machine. In this embodiment, there are no weights 10, 10′ fixed to the bar itself but an attachment loop with aperture 36 is provided centrally of the bar to allow attachment of bar 4 to a cable 38 associated with the fixed weights machine. Gripping means in the form of gripping sleeves 40, 42 are provided. The gripping sleeves 40, 42 each include a linear portion 44 and an angled portion 46 provided at an acute angle to linear portion 44. The linear portions 44 of the gripping sleeves 40, 42 are slidably movable on bar 4 in a similar manner to gripping sleeves 6, 8 in the first illustrated embodiment.

Stop or retaining means in the form of collars 46, 48 are provided either side of attachment loop 36 to limit movement of the springs. Collars 49, 51 are provided at the free ends of bar 4 which also act as stop or retaining means for the springs.

In this embodiment resilient biasing means in the form of coiled springs 50, 52, 54, 56 are provided. Spring 50 is provided between retaining collar 49 and end 58 of gripping sleeve 40. Spring 52 is provided between end 60 of gripping sleeve 40 and retaining collar 46. Spring 54 is provided between end 62 of gripping sleeve 42 and retaining collar 48. Spring 56 is provided between end 64 of gripping sleeve 42 and retaining collar 51.

In use of the bar 4, a user can grip either the linear portion 44 or the angled portion 46 of each gripping sleeve 40, 42 to move a weight associated with the fixed weight machine and/or to overcome the resistance provided by the coiled springs 50-56. The gripping sleeves 40, 42 can be moved outwardly of each other against the resistance of springs 50, 56 or can be moved inwardly of each other against the resistance of springs 52, 54.

The resistance provided by the springs or strength of the springs can be the same or different as required.

FIGS. 4 a-4 d illustrate further examples of exercise apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 a is similar to the bar arrangement in FIGS. 3 a-3 c but without springs 52, 54 provided between the gripping sleeves 40, 42. As such, the user only works against a resistance in a direction outwardly of the gripping sleeves, as shown by arrows 66, 68. Arrows 70 show the direction which the user moves the bar 4 in order to move against the resistance (not shown) of the fixed weight machine. Thus, it can be seen that the direction of force of user actuation of the gripping sleeves with respect to the resilient biasing means is substantially perpendicular or transverse to the direction of force of user actuation of the bar 4 with respect to the fixed weights.

FIG. 4 b has the same bar arrangement as in FIGS. 3 a-3 c with arrows 72 showing the user can move the gripping sleeves against a resistance in both an inwardly and an outwardly direction of the gripping sleeves. The bar 4 can be moved in a substantially transverse or perpendicular direction to the arrows 72 in moving the bar 4 with respect to the fixed weights.

FIG. 4 c is a similar arrangement to FIGS. 3 a-3 c but the gripping sleeves include a linear portion 44 only without the angled portion 46. The gripping sleeves 40, 42 have a plurality of grooves 78 thereon to provide a non-slip surface to allow a user to safely grip the same in use. An aperture 80 can be provided on the collars 46, 48 to allow the same to be attached to bar 4 via a bolt, screw and/or the like in use. Flanged portions 82 are provided either side of springs 50, 54, 56 to prevent a user's hand from slipping onto the springs in use. A cover (not shown) can be provided over the springs if required.

In one example, the bar is in the form of a hollow chrome bar and/or the gripping sleeves are formed from aluminium.

FIG. 4 d shows a close up view of the bar arrangement in FIG. 2 b, with arrows 74 and 76 showing that each of the gripping sleeves 6, 8 can be moved in opposite directions.

An example of some exercises that can be performed using the bar arrangement of the present invention are now described.

1. Bent Over Rows—Palms Down

With the bar 2 in FIG. 1 arranged in front of the user on the floor just in front of the user's feet. The user bends over at their waist, grips the bar 2 using their hands on gripping sleeves 6, 8 and pulls the entire bar towards their waist whilst in the bent over position. The user then moves the gripping sleeves 6, 8 towards each other using their hands, thereby compressing spring 18. The user maintains this compressed spring position by maintaining their hand position on the gripping sleeves whilst returning the bar 2 to the starting floor position. The exercise can be repeated as many times as required.

2. Straight Arm Pull Down

With the bar in FIG. 3 a, a user places a hand on each of gripping sleeves 40 and using straight arms pulls the bar in a downwardly direction to a desired point. The user then moves each of gripping sleeves 40 using their hands in an outwardly direction towards ends 49 and 51 respectively, thereby compressing springs 50 and 56 respectively. The user maintains this compressed spring position by maintaining their hand position as the user then moves the bar back to their start position. The exercise can be repeated as many times as required.

3. Bicep Curl

With the bar 2 in FIG. 1, a user places their hands on gripping sleeves 6, 8 and holds the bar at waist height with their inner arms facing away from their body. The user then curls the bar 2 towards them in an upwardly direction to a desired position. A user then moves the gripping sleeves 6, 8 towards each other using their hands, thereby compressing spring 18. The user maintains this compressed spring position by maintaining their hand position as they return the bar 2 to the starting position. The exercise can be repeated as many times as required. In addition, the exercise can be performed with the user's hand relatively close together on gripping sleeves 6, 8 in the start position or relatively far apart on gripping sleeves 6, 8 in the start position.

It will be appreciated that many different types of exercises can be performed using the bars of the present invention and the above three examples are simply there to illustrate some possibilities. 

1. Exercise apparatus, said exercise apparatus including a support portion and one or more gripping means movably mounted directly or indirectly on said support portion, and wherein resistance means are provided on and/or associated with the gripping means and/or the support portion to provide a resistance against which or relative to which a user can move the one or more gripping means in use.
 2. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the gripping means are arranged to be moveable in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support portion or axially thereof.
 3. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the support portion is in the form of an arm portion, bar portion, linear bar portion or bar portion having at least one linear element and one or more angled or protruding elements.
 4. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the resistance means includes a movable component that is arranged to move relative to the support portion as a result of a user applying a force to the gripping means.
 5. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the resistance means is or includes resilient biasing means, a spring, a coiled spring, sprung material, a pneumatic mechanism and/or a hydraulic mechanism.
 6. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the resistance provided by the resistance means is substantially fixed, or adjustment means are provided to allow adjustment of the resistance provided by the resistance means.
 7. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the gripping means are in the form of one or more sleeve members that are movably mounted on the support portion.
 8. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the gripping means is rotatably, slidably and/or pivotably mounted or movable on or with respect to the support portion.
 9. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein movement means, one or more ball bearings, roller means and/or lubrication means are provided on or associated with the gripping means to move or increase the ease of movement of the gripping means relative to the support portion in use.
 10. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the resistance means is integral with the gripping means, attached to the gripping means, detachably attached to the gripping means and/or arranged in abutting relationship with the gripping means.
 11. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the resistance means and/or gripping means are movable between a first start position, wherein at least part of the resistance means is relatively extended or is under relative tension, to a second working position, wherein at least part of the resistance means is relatively compressed.
 12. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein attachment means are provided to allow the apparatus top be attached to one or more further components or further exercise apparatus.
 13. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus is provided with or for use with one or more further resistance means or weights.
 14. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein stop or retaining means are provided to limit movement of the resistance means, to retain the resistance means on the support portion and/or for limiting movement of a user's hand or hands into contact with the resistance means in use.
 15. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein two or more resistance means are provided on or associated with the apparatus; at least one of said resistance means in the form of resilient biasing means, hydraulic means and/or pneumatic means; and at least one of said resistance means in the form of a static weight or movable weighted object or objects.
 16. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the gripping means includes a non-slip outer surface, one or more grooves, protrusions, recesses, teeth, and/or knurled surface.
 17. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a cover is provided on or associated with the resistance means in use.
 18. A method of using exercise apparatus, said exercise apparatus including a support portion and one or more gripping means movably mounted directly or indirectly on said support portion, and wherein said method includes a user gripping said gripping means are moving said gripping means relative to said support portion against resistance means provided on and/or associated with the gripping means and/or the support portion. 